Also Ran

I know next to nothing about horse racing. I read Seabiscuit, and saw the movie; enjoyed them both. That's about it. From hanging around the Illinois State Fair as a kid, though, I remember that the first three places in any race's finish were called win, place, and show. Any other horse in the field was listed as also ran... Any horse that ran in the race, and didn't get one of the first three spots was an "also ran."

Nobody remembers the "also rans." We remember the team that won the world series, but not the team that finished over .500, yet failed to make the playoffs. We recall the president of the company, but not the guy who retired as a department head, but never made it into the inner circle of company officers. I my professional world, we'll all remember the likes of Charles Swindoll, Bill Hybels, Rob Bell, and Francis Chan. And well we should - their impact on the mission of changing lives in the name of Jesus is immeasurable. No one will recall the pastor of the little church of thirty people, who lead them into genuine discipleship, growth, and impact in their small town, thus keeping the church from closing its doors. Our world assumes a hierarchy of influence, and "also rans" are low in that worldview.

Biblically, we remember Simon Peter, who lead the first gathering of Jesus-followers in Jerusalem. We remember Stephen, the first recorded martyr; surrendering his life for allegiance to Jesus. We recall Saul/Paul, the unlikely ambassador for Jesus throughout the Roman empire. Few people remember or know a follower of Jesus named Joseph, who was nicknamed Barnabus. I've never heard a sermon about him. He warranted only two verses in the Bible. I wonder why the Holy Spirit wanted us to know about this "also ran"?

More on Joseph, the "son of exhortation" in the next post. I'll see you around the next bend in the river.